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GameStop's $250 1TB Xbox One X deal is as cheap as 4K gaming gets
Looking for a console upgrade before the Xbox Series X hits shelves? You may have some time left to get a 1TB Xbox One X for as cheap as a price as we've seen. GameStop is offering last year's 2K19 console bundle for just $250, while the store's Game Days promotion throws in a second controller for free. That gets everything you need for some 4K HDR gaming as well as Ultra HD Blu-ray capability with the most power available until the new consoles arrive late next year. A year-old copy of NBA 2K isn't particularly attractive as a pack-in, but at this price you should have plenty left over for a Game Pass subscription or a few of the top Xbox One games available. If it's still available at a local store you might be able to pick one up today, but if not you'll have to hope it's still in stock online -- shoppers have reported seeing it flicker between available and sold out. Buy Xbox One X 2K19 1TB Bundle on GameStop - $250
What we're buying: Slö reverb pedal and Glarry electric bass
A couple of our editors went on a buying spree over Thanksgiving break, and bought "gifts" for themselves. In a complete coincidence, both Managing Editor Terrence O'Brien and Senior Editor Chris Velazco purchased devices of a musical bent; the Slo Multi Texture Reverb from Walrus Audio and a Glarry electric bass.
$35 off coupon makes Google's Titan security keys almost free
Whether you use Android or iOS, a hardware security key can provide even more protection against password theft or phishing. It's even more secure than other forms of multifactor authentication, because the site you're logging into has to verify itself to the security key too, which can help protect you against increasingly-tricky phishing attacks. Now, on the same day that Apple increased support for security keys on iOS 13.3, Google has kicked off a sale on its Titan security keys that makes them cheaper than we've ever seen before. Using the code "B-TITAN35OFF" can take up to $35 off of a purchase of security keys, so you can snag the wireless-equipped key that connects over USB, Bluetooth or NFC for just $3.99 (the price of shipping), instead of $35, or a pair of keys that adds a USB unit, at just under $20 instead of $50 plus shipping. It even appears that the code will work on multiple orders, so you could order them separately and use the discount on each one. Looking for the USB-C key that Google teamed with Yubico on? Apply the coupon code and it can be yours for a total of $9.29.
The best portable (and affordable) USB MIDI controllers
Whether you're a musician always on the go or just tight on space, there are plenty of reasons to pick up a portable MIDI controller. I've been on the hunt for the perfect portable and affordable controller. (You don't want to lose or break something expensive while you're traveling, after all.) But honestly, there is no perfect controller. There are some very good ones out there, but none has ticked every box for me. Similarly, you'll need to figure out which one best addresses your specific needs, with the fewest trade-offs. None of these controllers rises head and shoulders above the rest to make it the clear winner. So I've laid out the strengths and weaknesses of what I think are the five best options currently on the market.
The Engadget staff on 'The Man in the High Castle' finale
It's been almost five years since The Man in the High Castle pilot premiered on Prime Video. The show, which explores an alternate timeline where the Nazis won World War II, was set up to be the next big Amazon original after Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle. And while the first episode performed well -- it was Amazon's most-watched pilot at the time -- the show never grew into the Game of Thrones-level behemoth that the company clearly wanted. Still, the e-commerce juggernaut backed the alt-history epic to its dramatic fourth-season conclusion earlier this month. So what did we think of the ending? And has it changed our overall opinion of the show? In this week's video IRL, Engadget editors Nick Summers and Matt Brian discuss the many highs and lows of High Castle and how they will remember the writing, acting and production design of the finale. (This article contains spoilers for 'The Man in the High Castle' season four)
Our readers on the Powerbeats Pro's best features
Though Beats was a little late to market with its first true wireless earbuds, this year the company debuted a set designed for a comfortable and secure fit: the Powerbeats Pro. With its over-the-ear hook construction, chunky charging case and speedy H1 chip the Pro impressed senior news editor Billy Steele, largely thanks to its solid battery life, sound quality and ambidextrous onboard controls. However, imperfections like its Lightning charger, unwieldy case, and overbearing treble kept the Pro's score to an honorable 86. Users scored the Pro more sternly and gave the Powerbeats Pro a much lower rating of 71.
What we're buying: TCL 65-inch 4K 65R625
This week, Senior Editor Richard Lawler tells us of the highs and lows of his new TCL 65-inch TV.
Ask Engadget: What browser plug-ins will help with holiday shopping?
The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fact, our community's knowledge and insights are a reason why many of you participate in the comments. We truly value the time and detail you all spend in responding to questions from your fellow tech-obsessed commenters, which is why we've decided to bring back our "Ask Engadget" column. This week's question is a useful query concerning how to make holiday shopping easier -- and cheaper. Weigh in with your advice in the comments -- and feel free to send your own questions along to ask@engadget.com! What browser plug-ins are best for saving money and checking prices while holiday shopping?
Walmart's early Black Friday deal: 512GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro for $599
Black Friday is still a couple of weeks away but retailers are doing everything they can to get and keep your attention right now. For Walmart, that means releasing its ad now to tease Black Friday offers like a $129 Apple Watch Series 3, $99 Samsung Chromebook Series 3 or a 1080p 40-inch Roku Smart TV from its house brand onn. for $98. Deals you can jump on starting today include a 512GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro for $599 -- the lowest price we've seen. This is the 2017-era second generation model, so while it doesn't come with newer features like FaceID, A12X Bionic CPU or a USB-C connector, it still packs impressive power to multitask with Apple's new iPad OS, and at this price -- a comparable third-gen Pro costs $1,149 -- its performance is hard to beat. At the time we originally reviewed it, two problems were that it was expensive and iOS 11 wasn't out yet -- those have now been addressed. Buy 10.5-inch 512GB iPad Pro on Walmart - $599 If you have milder tablet aspirations, there's also a 7-inch 8GB Samsung Galaxy Tab A available now for $78. Walmart has more pre-Black Friday deals planned for next Friday too, so stay tuned. Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab A on Walmart - $78
Target's Black Friday preview adds a $200 gift card to your iPhone 11
Black Friday is still weeks away, but retailers are already trying to pull shoppers into their stores with enticing discounts, and Target's preview is worth checking out for anyone considering a cellphone upgrade. On November 8th and 9th, it will throw a Target gift card in with several smartphones purchased and activated with either Verizon or AT&T. You may be able to find deep discounts via bill credits on activated phones elsewhere, but that's going to be immediately useful for the rest of your holiday shopping. The offers include a $200 gift card attached to Apple's iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max, as well as the older iPhone XS and XS Max, if purchased and activated from Friday through Sunday. Prefer Android? There's a $300 gift card waiting for you upon the purchase of a Google Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL, available now through Sunday. Finally, you can get a $400 gift card waiting along with Samsung's Galaxy S10, S10+ and Note 10+, or $200 if you prefer the cheaper Galaxy S10E, all available from now through Sunday.
Sony's excellent WH-1000XM3 headphones are over $70 off at Amazon
If you've been patiently waiting for a retailer to put Sony's excellent WH-1000XM3 noise-canceling headphones on sale, your patience has paid off. Amazon has discounted both the black and silver models by $72, making them $278 instead of their usual $350. According to price tracker Camelcamelcamel, that 21 percent price cut is the biggest discount Amazon has ever offered on the Bluetooth headphones.
Sony A6600 review: A rare misstep for Sony's cameras
As Sony's new flagship APS-C camera, the 24.2-meagpixel A6600 has a lot to live up to. First of all, it had to follow the A6500, launched in 2016 with innovative features like 4K 30 fps video, fast 11 fps shooting speeds, in-body stabilization and face- and eye-tracking. For a couple of years, nothing else on the market could touch it. What's more, the A6600 arrived just after Sony's 61-megapixel A7R IV full-frame mirrorless camera -- possibly the best camera I've ever seen. From a competition standpoint, Sony is also under pressure to top Fujifilm's X-T3, which has a higher-resolution sensor, more 4K video features and much better handling than the A6500. The A6600 has in-body stabilization, a key feature that its rivals lack, and packs other promising features like a bigger grip and battery, along with improvements to its famous AI-powered autofocus system. However, Sony did not upgrade the three-year old sensor. Can it can hold its own against its full-frame stablemates? Can it beat the X-T3?
Best Buy's massive Apple sale includes a $250 iPad offer
Best Buy has already unveiled its Black Friday ad, but if you're in the market for some new Apple gear you can get your hands on some pretty hefty discounts right now. There are good deals to be had across the board, but its deals on iPads, HomePods and Apple Watches are where the major savings are.
Amazon discounts some Echo Show devices to their lowest price ever
Little known fact: today is Alexa's 5th birthday. To mark the occasion, Amazon is of course holding a sale. And like a lot of the company's sales, there are a lot of questionable offers (free TP Link Smart Plug with Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch, anyone?). To save you time, we've highlighted a couple of the better deals below.
Amazon discounts Prime subscriptions by $40 for veterans
With Veterans Day coming up, Amazon has launched a new promotion aimed at armed forces members. Starting today and until November 11th, if you've served in the military, or are a current active duty or reserve member, you can get $40 off the first year of an Amazon Prime subscription. If you're already a subscriber, fret not: you can use the promotion as a way to extend your membership at a discount.
What we’re buying: BenQ’s HT3550 projector delivers 4K HDR on the cheap
This week, Associate Editor Steve Dent gives us his thoughts on BenQ's latest 4K projector.
What we're buying: Magnetic eyelashes and eyeliner
This week, Reviews Editor Cherlynn Low takes a look at the latest in beauty tech trends with false eyelashes that attach to your lids with magnets.
What we're buying: 'Typeset in the Future'
This week, Senior Editor Kris Naudus takes a look at a book that will please both sci-fi nerds and design geeks. 'Typeset in the Future' explores the typography and design in science fiction movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek, and more.
The best multi-effects pedal for new guitarists
When I first started playing guitar way back in 1995 (or maybe it was 1994?) the idea of a digital multi-effects pedal was still pretty new. The Zoom 505 was the biggest game in town, if you wanted a pile of effects in a compact package for a reasonable price. It was also the first pedal I ever bought. But, if I'm being honest, a lot of the sounds you got out of it were not great. And it could be a little confusing to operate at times. Thankfully things have come a long way since the mid '90s.
What we're buying: The MamaRoo automatic baby swing
This week, Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar tells us why he really dislikes the Mamaroo automatic baby swing. Or, perhaps more accurately, why his three-week-old daughter doesn't like it.
